UCSD Department of Theatre & Dance offers an alternative to holiday fare with MFA candidate Tom Dugdale’s visually stunning staging of William Shakespeare’s “As You Like It,” playing through Saturday only at the Sheila and Hughes Potiker Theatre. The production is an example of the excellent work done by the university’s MFA candidates as well as the resources available at this fine campus facility shared with La Jolla Playhouse. Thomas George’s scenic design, Sohhee Han’s mixed-era costumes and James Tan’s lighting enhance Dugdale’s Byronesque/Freudian concept, which also depends upon Alyssa Ishii’s magnificent sound design, Jason Ponce’s original music and Alicia Peterson Baskel’s choreography. There are two utterly ravishing moments when all these elements combine to stunning effect, one at the end of Act I, the other at the end of the play. To the audience’s credit, the moments were not spoiled by premature applause. There was silence until the last musical note had faded. Having the minor character William traverse the large playing area while whistling “A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes” from Disney’s “Cinderella” is, upon reflection, a bit heavy handed, but there are brilliant, more subtle touches, like the wrestling match staged to a turbulent piano sonata, the ubiquitous presence of a wind-up phonograph and the 11th-hour reappearance of Rosalind’s bed. Despite one’s feeling of having been lead down the Primrose Path, one departs with a feeling of sadness. In some cases the acting is very fine. These would include Maren Bush’s excellent Rosalind, Lorene Chesley’s Celia, Evan Powell’s Orlando and Patrick Riley’s understatedly magnificent Jaques. The production is highly recommended and plays tonight (Dec. 4), Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. For tickets and information, visit www.theatre.ucsd.edu/season or call (858) 534-4574.